Coating Hydrophobic Biopolymers Around Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Application

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have excellent sensing capabilities that can detect the interaction between the nanotube and the surrounding molecules. Understanding and ultimately controlling these interfaces are crucial because of its influence on reactivity, adsorption of pollutants, and interaction with biological materials. Poly(Butyl Cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) is a hydrophobic, biodegradable polymer that has potential applications in drug delivery and biosensors. A novel method is provided to coat PBCA around individual nanotubes. In the micelle structure of the nanotube, the hydrophobic monomer butyl cyanoacrylate will attach to the SWCNT surface and then go through polymerization, forming the PBCA-SWCNT composite. Photoluminescence, Raman and FTIR are used to characterize the coating process and demonstrate that PBCA-SWCNT forms a thin sheath around individual nanotubes. The cytotoxicity of the composite is studied and we will show how these systems could provide new avenues for loading drugs within SWCNTs.